Plates: the separate sections of the lithosphere Scientific Theory: a well tested concept that explains a wide range of observations Plate Tectonics: the geological theory that states that the Earth's plates are constantly in motion Faults: breaks in the Earth's crust where rocks have slipped past each other Transform Boundary: a place where two plates slip past each other, moving in opposite directions Divergent Boundary: the place where two plates move apart Rift Valley: a deep valley which forms along divergent boundaries Convergent Boundary: the place where two plates come together
A Theory of Plate Motion
Plate tectonics
Driven by convection currents in the mantle
Convection currents rise in the asthenosphere and spread out in the lithosphere
Plate Boundaries
Transform Boundaries
Earthquakes occur frequently along these boundaries
Divergent Boundaries
Occur along the mid-ocean ridge
Also occur on land
Rift valleys occur near divergent boundaries
Convergent Boundaries
When 2 plates converge, they cause collisions, subduction occurs and mountain ranges form.
Oceanic crust and oceanic crust( subduction occurs)
Continental crust and oceanic crust( collisions happen)
Continental crust and continental crust( mountain ranges form)
Table of Contents
1.5 The Theory of Plate Tectonics
Vocabulary
Plates: the separate sections of the lithosphere
Scientific Theory: a well tested concept that explains a wide range of observations
Plate Tectonics: the geological theory that states that the Earth's plates are constantly in motion
Faults: breaks in the Earth's crust where rocks have slipped past each other
Transform Boundary: a place where two plates slip past each other, moving in opposite directions
Divergent Boundary: the place where two plates move apart
Rift Valley: a deep valley which forms along divergent boundaries
Convergent Boundary: the place where two plates come together
A Theory of Plate Motion
Plate tectonics
Plate Boundaries
Transform Boundaries
Divergent Boundaries
Convergent Boundaries